State of Maryland Archives: on Immigration


Thomas Perez: As board president, grew local immigrant advocacy group

Tom also served as the Board President for CASA de Maryland, where he was able to grow the organization from a small, local organization to one of the largest immigrant advocacy organizations in the nation. Tom also served as a professor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law teaching in the Law and Healthcare program from 2001 until 2007.
Source: 2021 Maryland Governor campaign website TomPerez.com Jul 18, 2021

Thomas Perez: Guarantee healthcare to immigrants, regardless of status

Maryland should join the handful of other states that guarantee health care to hard-working immigrants, regardless of their status. During the pandemic, these front-line workers have cared for our sick, grown and prepared our food, and delivered goods to our doors. They are taxpayers, and they contribute to Social Security with every paycheck. Woven into the fabric of our community, our undocumented friends and neighbors should never be turned away when they get sick and need help.
Source: 2021 Maryland Governor campaign website TomPerez.com Jul 18, 2021

Larry Hogan: Reject Trump policy of separating families at the border

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered the majority of National Guard troops deployed at her state's Southern border to withdraw, condemning what she called a "charade of border fear-mongering" by President Trump, who has warned of an immigration emergency in the region. "I reject the federal contention that there exists an overwhelming national security crisis at the Southern border," Lujan Grisham said, adding that the area has "some of the safest communities in the country."

The governor's order covers most of New Mexico's deployed troops, along with Guard members who have traveled from AR, KS, KY, NH, SC, and WI. In all, 118 National Guard troops have been deployed in New Mexico, the governor's office said.

At least five states, including two led by Republicans, rejected the president's call to send troops., with Maryland's Gov. Larry Hogan saying his state wanted nothing to do with the Trump administration policy of separating families at the border.

Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial race Feb 6, 2019

Ben Jealous: Defend DREAMers & champion a pathway to citizenship

Immigration: Support DREAM Act (DACA), allowing "Dreamers" who arrived illegally as children, then grew up in the US, to achieve legal status if meet certain conditions?

Hogan: "Stop targeting innocent kids." "Find a bipartisan, common sense solution to protect DREAMers."

Jealous: Yes. "Defend Dreamers & champion a pathway to citizenship at the federal level." Named "Marylander of the year" for role in securing in-state tuition for undocumented students.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Maryland Governor race Nov 1, 2018

Ian Schlakman: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?

A: Strongly support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Aug 21, 2018

Ben Jealous: Stand up to Trump's Muslim ban

Ben Jealous, former National President & CEO of the NAACP released the following statement in response to the recent decision by the Supreme Court upholding the Trump Administration's "Muslim Ban."

"As our Muslim friends and neighbors continue to be vilified by the Trump administration, we need a governor with the courage to stand up for all of us," said Jealous. "Larry Hogan has continuously failed to give the Attorney General's office the needed resources to uphold Maryland's values and has continuously failed to stand up to the leader of his own party. As governor, I'll ensure that office has the resources to hold the Trump administration accountable and I'll stand up for Marylanders regardless of religious identity."

Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial website BenJealous.com Jul 8, 2018

Ben Jealous: For society to be healthy all members need to be embraced

Immigrants have shaped our state since before it was founded. We have a moral responsibility to ensure members of our community are afforded equal opportunity, but we also have an economic responsibility to cultivate the talent immigrant families bring. Immigrants are doctors, nurses, and students. They serve in our police forces and teach our children in school. They deserve our protection and policies that attempt to break up communities hurt all of us, not just those who weren't born here.
Source: 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial campaign website, BenJealous.com Jun 26, 2018

Tony Campbell: Against sanctuary cities and pathway to citizenship

Q: Do you support the Trump administration's actions related to immigration?

A: Sanctuary cites are unconstitutional because cities do not have sovereignty; only the 50 states and the national government have that authority. Not only do these cities have increased crime and gang activity, they also economically hurt the most vulnerable of our citizens--low-skilled and inadequately educated people living in urban areas. There should not be a pathway to citizenship.

Source: Herald-Mail on 2018 Maryland Senate race Jun 13, 2018

Richard Madaleno: Allow Syrian refugees into US and Maryland

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate Jun 1, 2018

Shawn Quinn: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?

A: Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Governor candidate May 13, 2018

Arvin Vohra: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens

Q: What about a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens?

A: Support. I support open borders, and absolutely no welfare. Those who come to America to work should be welcome. Welfare parasites should go elsewhere. Eliminating all welfare, including government schools, is far more effective at keeping out parasites than any wall. Ending the welfare state will also attract job creators to America. If elected, I will sponsor legislation to eliminate all welfare and all restrictions on immigration.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Senate candidate Mar 30, 2018

Chelsea Manning: Believes all immigrants should be allowed into the U.S.

I also believe that people have an absolute right to come into this country. The immigration system is being used today to go after minority groups. The immigration systems have been weaponized against minority communities in our country and we need to roll back on that and we need to stop.
Source: Baltimore Magazine on 2018 Maryland Senate race Jan 18, 2018

Arvin Vohra: End restrictions on immigration; open our borders

When we open our borders and end social welfare, we attract productive human capital. We invite people with skills, dedication, and ingenuity to cross our borders, build businesses, hire employees, and most importantly, to spend their money in our economy. We can invite skilled workers to come here, and spend their money at American businesses, thereby boosting our economy. The more money spent at American businesses, the more growth we have, and that includes an increase in jobs.
Source: 2018 Maryland Senate campaign website VoteVohra.com Dec 12, 2017

Jamie Raskin: Comprehensive immigration reform must be a top priority

Comprehensive Immigration Reform: A strong supporter of the Maryland DREAM Act, Jamie believes that comprehensive immigration reform must be a top priority to break the deadlock in Congress and the country. He'll work towards an earned and tangible path to citizenship to bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the rights and responsibilities of full membership in our society and economy.
Source: 2016 Maryland House campaign website JamieRaskin.com Nov 8, 2016

Richard Douglas: Decriminalize hiring American; protect them from foreigners

[Congress should] restore American workers to their rightful place at the top of the nation's priority list.

How? First, Congress must decriminalize "hiring American." US employers must be free, if they choose, to give hiring preference to US and lawful immigrant workers over unlawful migrants with US work permits, without fear of government or private lawsuits.

Second, Congress must extend to American human capital the same shield from foreign competition in the domestic market that Congress created for American shipping and aviation capital. In laws like the Jones Act, Congress excluded foreign actors from large sectors of the domestic transport markets. Congress should enact similar protections to workers on projects involving even a dollar of federal funding. American human capital, swamped with unregulated foreign competition in the domestic market, needs a Jones Act of its own.

Source: 2016 Campaign website for MD Senate, DouglasMaryland.com Sep 8, 2015

Larry Hogan: Feed & clothe illegal immigrant kids; then deport them

Republican gubernatorial candidate Larry Hogan says the state of Maryland should not house some of the thousands of children coming into the U.S. illegally from Central America.

Hogan says the state needs to respond to this "humanitarian crisis" by providing for their immediate needs of food, and clothing and medical care, but then Hogan says these children have to be deported. "I want to reunite them back with their parents in their home countries," Hogan told the C-4 Show today. "I think it is absolutely ridiculous to take these children and to be busing them thousands of miles from their point of entry, to try to house them in Maryland, when we can't house our own kids, and we have a broken health care system."

Governor O'Malley asked clergy leaders to help create a network of foster families to help house these children, provide them with access to health care, and to provide them with other assistance as they wait to be reunited with relatives, or wait to be sent home.

Source: WBAL News Radio 1090 on 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial race Jul 29, 2014

Martin O`Malley: Feed & clothe illegal immigrant kids; then find foster homes

Governor O'Malley asked clergy leaders to help create a network of foster families to help house these children, provide them with access to health care, and to provide them with other assistance as they wait to be reunited with relatives, or wait to be sent home. The governor's plan is seeking to house up to 2,000 children. Already more than 2,000 have come to Maryland this year, and are staying with either foster families or relatives.

Catholic Charities is seeking a federal grant to house about 50 children in St. Vincent Villa in Timonium.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Larry Hogan says the state of Maryland should not house some of the thousands of children coming into the U.S. illegally from Central America.

Hogan says the state needs to respond to this "humanitarian crisis" by providing for their immediate needs of food, and clothing and medical care, but then Hogan says these children have to be deported.

Source: WBAL News Radio 1090 on 2018 Maryland Gubernatorial race Jul 29, 2014

Rob Sobhani: Immigration system is broken; enforce our current law

We need to fix our broken immigration system in several areas. First, we need to enforce our current law. Second, English should be the official language of all Americans, because a common language ties us together as a nation. Last, these internal policy changes need to be met with a proactive approach to American foreign relations. It should be our policy that America will be stronger if our neighbors become more democratic and follow the rule of law.
Source: 2012 Senate campaign website, www.sobhaniformaryland.com Oct 15, 2012

Kathy Szeliga: Voted NO on in-state tuition for undocumented immigrant

SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Conference Report Adopted House (74 - 65); Rep. Kathy Szeliga voted Nay.
Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2011-2012 Maryland voting records Apr 11, 2011

Kelly M. Schulz: Voted NO on in-state tuition for undocumented immigrant

SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants

Conference Report Adopted House (74 - 65); Del. Kelly Schulz voted Nay.

Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2011-12 Maryland voting records SB167 Apr 11, 2011

Jamie Raskin: Voted YES on in-state tuition for undocumented immigrant

SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Passed House (74-65-2); passed Senate (27-19-1); Sen. Raskin voted YEA.
Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2011-2012 Maryland legislative records Apr 7, 2011

Richard Madaleno: Voted YES on in-state tuition for undocumented immigrant

SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Passed House (74-65-2); passed Senate (27-19-1); Sen. Madaleno voted YEA.
Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2011-2012 Maryland legislative records Apr 7, 2011

  • The above quotations are from State of Maryland Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Immigration.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Immigration:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021